Maple Leaf benefits Baldwin community

There's more to the Maple Leaf Festival than just providing a good time for thousands of people.

The festival also serves as a fundraiser, basically for the community of Baldwin.

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Festival co-chair Jennifer Hayes said once the festival committee takes care of the expenses, the rest of the money is given back to the community.

"All of the money is donated to non-profits and charities and scholarships," she said.

The committee's money comes from booth fees and a portion of the carnival's proceeds.

Hayes said the money is used to pay the festival expenses and contributions to groups that volunteered at the festival. The remaining money is then doled out to community organizations in need of financial help like the Baldwin Community Emergency Fund and AED.

In the past, she said, the committee has also helped send students to Boys and Girls State and to summer camps.

Committee member Diane Wagner said the festival wouldn't be the success it is without the committee members and volunteers who contribute countless hours of time.

"There are a lot of people out there who do a lot of behind the scenes work," she said. "We'd like to thank all the volunteers, and the community for putting up with the traffic and the hassles for three or four days surrounding Maple Leaf."

Wagner said the festival committee is seeking feedback on this year's festival, as well as volunteers to serve on the Maple Leaf Festival committee. Those interested can attend a committee meeting. The committee meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month, except December, at the Baldwin City Public Library.